News

Chicago, IL (April 9, 2009) – Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the playoff-bound Chicago Blackhawks in HD, posted the highest Blackhawks final regular season average in the history of Chicago regional sports television -- a 1.26 household season average rating (over 44,000 households watching per game) -- a 100% increase over last season’s 0.63 final average. The 1.26 final season average sets an all-time Chicago regional sports network ratings record, previously held by the 1996-97 Blackhawks season on SportsChannel (1.06). Source for all ratings information is provided by Nielsen Media Research overnights.

“This has been an incredible season for the Blackhawks and their legions of fans and we’re looking forward to that same magic continuing during the post-season as well,” said James J. Corno, President of Comcast SportsNet Chicago. “We’re also very pleased viewers tuned to our network for our comprehensive Blackhawks coverage all season long, which will naturally continue throughout the playoffs with our game and extensive pre/post game coverage. These ratings not only reflect the huge impact that the Blackhawks have on our network, but it’s also a great reflection of the hard work that goes into our coverage from everyone here at Comcast SportsNet.”

Comcast SportsNet also posted massive ratings increases in the key advertiser demo rating of Adults 25-54 this season with a 0.81 average, a 131% increase compared to last season’s 0.35 average for this demo. The ’08-’09 season finished very strong for CSN as it averaged a 1.80 household rating over its final eight regular season game telecasts, which included its all-time single game rating high of a 2.13 on March 27 vs. New Jersey.

In addition to its Blackhawks game ratings success, Comcast SportsNet’s Chevy Blackhawks Pre-Game Live ratings increased 44% over last season, while Smirnoff Vodka Blackhawks Post Game Live ratings increased 96%.

Comcast SportsNet will continue its comprehensive coverage of the Blackhawks run throughout the 2009 NHL Playoffs with live game, pre-game and post-game coverage beginning next week.